Look back at the '00-'01 offseason. The team as constructed then wasn't star studded, but Coach Belichick went out and got two missing ingredients, that helped the defense come into its own as a reliable and playmaking unit.

1) He brought in a stabilizing core of depth players. Not superstars, but guys who make the right play more often and not and weren't in high demand. Roman Phifer, Mike Vrabel, Anthony Pleasant, Otis Smith (well he was the previous offseason), Larry Izzo, guys like that (you can include Cox and Buckley if you want).

2) He got a "missing-piece" type player up front who could disrupt a play in a million ways in Richard Seymour.

Suddenly, the defense was pretty good. They made a lot of timely plays, stiffened at the right times, allowed few points, and ultimately went on to frustrate Kurt Warner and the high-flying Rams offense. Not because they were uber-talented, but they had the right mix.

Looking at this off-season, with the salary crunch that is about to go down, a lot of veteran defenders will be available. Some of them will get big contracts, but some will fly under the radar or wish to sign for a chance at a title. The Pats have much less cap space than they did in 2000, but also have a draw for free agents they did not have back then. If they can pull off a similar coup in free agent (acquire reliable veteran talent at a good value) and grab a penetrating presence in the draft, I will be very optimistic about the unit in 2013.

Addendum: Here's a list of guys with big cap hits, who could conceivably become available. All it takes is one guy to leave some money on the table and sign here, and all are players who could potentially be of use IMO. Some pipe-dreaming, but why not.

Look back at the '00-'01 offseason. The team as constructed then wasn't star studded, but Coach Belichick went out and got two missing ingredients, that helped the defense come into its own as a reliable and playmaking unit.

1) He brought in a stabilizing core of depth players. Not superstars, but guys who make the right play more often and not and weren't in high demand. Roman Phifer, Mike Vrabel, Anthony Pleasant, Otis Smith (well he was the previous offseason), Larry Izzo, guys like that (you can include Cox and Buckley if you want).

2) He got a "missing-piece" type player up front who could disrupt a play in a million ways in Richard Seymour.

Suddenly, the defense was pretty good. They made a lot of timely plays, stiffened at the right times, allowed few points, and ultimately went on to frustrate Kurt Warner and the high-flying Rams offense. Not because they were uber-talented, but they had the right mix.

Looking at this off-season, with the salary crunch that is about to go down, a lot of veteran defenders will be available. Some of them will get big contracts, but some will fly under the radar or wish to sign for a chance at a title. The Pats have much less cap space than they did in 2000, but also have a draw for free agents they did not have back then. If they can pull off a similar coup in free agent (acquire reliable veteran talent at a good value) and grab a penetrating presence in the draft, I will be very optimistic about the unit in 2013.

Addendum: Here's a list of guys with big cap hits, who could conceivably become available. All it takes is one guy to leave some money on the table and sign here, and all are players who could potentially be of use IMO. Some pipe-dreaming, but why not.

It was clear from the day you arrived that this Forum would get a nice Boost.

Outstanding Premise, Brother Shataway.

***

Truly, we are very likely looking at 2001 Revisited. Few Owners ~ indeed: few Mammals ~ approach Expenses with any attempt at discipline. As a result, a vast swath of these Owners have got caught leaning off first.

There could be some exquisite Salary Cap Carnage, in the the weeks and months ahead.

Look back at the '00-'01 offseason. The team as constructed then wasn't star studded, but Coach Belichick went out and got two missing ingredients, that helped the defense come into its own as a reliable and playmaking unit.

1) He brought in a stabilizing core of depth players. Not superstars, but guys who make the right play more often and not and weren't in high demand. Roman Phifer, Mike Vrabel, Anthony Pleasant, Otis Smith (well he was the previous offseason), Larry Izzo, guys like that (you can include Cox and Buckley if you want).

2) He got a "missing-piece" type player up front who could disrupt a play in a million ways in Richard Seymour.

Suddenly, the defense was pretty good. They made a lot of timely plays, stiffened at the right times, allowed few points, and ultimately went on to frustrate Kurt Warner and the high-flying Rams offense. Not because they were uber-talented, but they had the right mix.

Looking at this off-season, with the salary crunch that is about to go down, a lot of veteran defenders will be available. Some of them will get big contracts, but some will fly under the radar or wish to sign for a chance at a title. The Pats have much less cap space than they did in 2000, but also have a draw for free agents they did not have back then. If they can pull off a similar coup in free agent (acquire reliable veteran talent at a good value) and grab a penetrating presence in the draft, I will be very optimistic about the unit in 2013.

Addendum: Here's a list of guys with big cap hits, who could conceivably become available. All it takes is one guy to leave some money on the table and sign here, and all are players who could potentially be of use IMO. Some pipe-dreaming, but why not.

Totally with you on this and meant to post it earlier today (busy, lazy). I will be curious as to which veterans will be cut from teams around the league. I wouldn't be disappointed to see Seymour/Canty, Asomugha/Bailey, and Huff added at reasonable $$$.

As a byproduct, wouldn't letting Talib sign elsewhere and replacing him with a player cut recoup Talib's cost by virtue of a compensatory pick.

Getting two good vets, two more decent ones, and drafting a stud is perfectly doable. Look how the Colts transformed their offense in a single offseason, get two steady vets below market value (Avery and Justice, who isn't very good but was by far their best offensive lineman) and drafting some good players (Luck, Hilton, Allen). Its not unusual for a well-executed offseason to transform a team.

Totally with you on this and meant to post it earlier today (busy, lazy). I will be curious as to which veterans will be cut from teams around the league. I wouldn't be disappointed to see Seymour/Canty, Asomugha/Bailey, and Huff added at reasonable $$$.

As a byproduct, wouldn't letting Talib sign elsewhere and replacing him with a player cut recoup Talib's cost by virtue of a compensatory pick.

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I'm pretty sure that a comp pick is only awarded in cases where the team loses more significant free agents than it signs, so if you'd want any of these other players they'd cancel each other out.

I don't think we'll be seeing any comp picks at all for the draft in April of this year either.

I'm pretty sure that a comp pick is only awarded in cases where the team loses more significant free agents than it signs, so if you'd want any of these other players they'd cancel each other out.

I don't think we'll be seeing any comp picks at all for the draft in April of this year either.

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Not certain, but I do not think Canty, Asomugha or Bailey would count against the compensatory formula since they are cuts as opposed to true Free Agents...(I think there is a distinction, but not surE - it may only be if you sign them after some date). Seymour's contract was voided, so that one is a bit murkier. How was Stallworth classified a few years ago when his was voided? Did he count?

I'm counting on a mix of Arrington, Welker, Thomas, Vollmer and Woodhead leaving as significant UFA. We might be in the mix for 2014 comp picks....

Addendum: Here's a list of guys with big cap hits, who could conceivably become available. All it takes is one guy to leave some money on the table and sign here, and all are players who could potentially be of use IMO. Some pipe-dreaming, but why not.

It is a nice dream, I will join in. Another player I would add to the Safety mix is LaRon Landry, they brought him last year but the Jets offered more and the Patriots were stuck with Gregory. He proved he is healthy but cost may be an issue. He plays the SS role which is sorely needed.

Safeties - Landry, McCourty (could also play CB), Gregory, Wilson

At CB, I liked what I saw from Talib and am more interested in his health than his 'perceived' attitude. Again money may be an issue.

Also, I would double check that list, some of those players may be candidates for release but most are still under contract.

It is a nice dream, I will join in. Another player I would add to the Safety mix is LaRon Landry, they brought him last year but the Jets offered more and the Patriots were stuck with Gregory. He proved he is healthy but cost may be an issue. He plays the SS role which is sorely needed.

Safeties - Landry, McCourty (could also play CB), Gregory, Wilson

At CB, I liked what I saw from Talib and am more interested in his health than his 'perceived' attitude. Again money may be an issue.

Also, I would double check that list, some of those players may be candidates for release but most are still under contract.

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Landry is worse in coverage than any of the safeties we used last year

Asomugha or Bailey, if cut, would not count towards compensatory formula. I see them as the natural replacements. Add a draft pick as well.

Also, a guy like Antoine Cason would be a nice replacement for Arrington, if he goes elsewhere. That would be an offset.

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Honestly, I think Cason vs. Arrington is a grass is greener thing. Cason might be better on the outside, but Arrington is better in the slot. And with Dennard/FA#1 (be that Talib or someone else)/Dowling, we're looking more to fill a slot role.